Pneumatic elevator and storage-station



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

. L. SMITH. PNEUMATIC ELEVATOR AND STORAGE STATION.

No. 446,029: Patented Feb. 10,1891.

(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 2. L SMITH PNEUMATIC ELEVATOR AND STORAGE $TATION.

No. 446,029 PatentedFeb. 10, 1891.

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"0., WASHINGTON n c 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. L. SMITH.

(No Model.)

.L. 9 oo 1 e w t Re t "wan-01% NITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LYMAN SMITH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGN OR TO THE SMITH PNEUMATIC TRANSFER AND STORAGE COMPANY, OF \VEST VIRGINIA.

PNEUMATIC ELEVATOR AND STORAGE-STATION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 446,029, dated February 10, 1891. Application filed July 22, 1890- Serial No. 359,498. (No model.)

To (LZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that LLYMAN-SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Elevators and Storage- Stations; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others IO skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 repre sents a side elevation of a portion of a group of tanks, showing the location of the receiver I 5 and the manner of connecting it to the tanks. Fig. 2 is aplan view of the same, showing two complete and portions of three adjacent ones. Fig. 3 is a vertical central sectlon of one of the tanks, showing more particularly the form of the bottom thereof and themanner of connecting the shell of the tank thereto. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional viewon the line V V of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view, partly in section and partly in side elevation, showing princi- 2 5 pally the connections between the grain-pipe and the tank. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation, slightly enlarged, of the valved connections between the grain-pipe and the roof of the tank. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the mouthpiece on the lower end of the air-pipe. Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view on the lineXX of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the gate closed. Fig. 11 is a similar view of the gate open. Fig. 12 is an end view of the gate, showing its connections to the adjacent grain-pipes Fig. 13 is a front elevation of two tanks, showing a modification of the means of withdrawing the grain from the tanks. Fig. 1i is a horizontal central sectional view taken through two tanks. Fig. 15 is a vertical central section taken through onetank, and Fig.16 is a horizontal sectional view of the same. Fig. 17 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the rotatable valve at the upper end of the pipe inclosing the main pipe. Fig. 18 is a side elevation of a flexible coupling that may be employed to connect the sections of the pneumatic tubes together. Fig. 19 is a horizontal sectional view of an adjustable pipe-coupling. Fig. 20 is a side elevation of the same.

The object of this invention is to provide a storage place for grain and other food products where they may be so stored and exeluded from the air and light and where a uniform low temperature may be maintained. The invention also relates to means for ele' vating and handling said products, and, furthermore, to means for removing any excess of moisture from the storage places and their contents at any desired time without disturbing or removing the products so stored.

The invention has relation more particularly to that class of pneumatic apparatus for 6 3 storing and handling grain covered by a number of patents heretofore issued to me, and it has for its special object theimprovements in the construction of the storage-tanks or stations and in the apparatus for elevating, 7o transferring, and discharging the grain, as will be more fully hereinafter described.

The improvement in the construction. of the storage-tanks consists, principally, in the formation of the bottoms thereof, which improve 7 5 ment adapts them for'tanks located on ground too soft or otherwise unfit for the support of 'tanks having ordinary form of bottom, thereby also enabling me to gain the further ad vantage of utilizing the space for storage that would otherwise be occupied with the foundations of the tanks, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

The improvements in the methods and apparatus for handling the grain relate, chiefly, to the arrangement and construction of the mouth-piece and receiving-pipe, which improvement dispenses with the labor usually required for constantly shifting and manipulating the same in the process of removing the grain from tanks having ordinary flat bottoms, as will presently appear.

My invention further consists in simple means for admitting or conveying air to the bottom of the tank under the grain therein Whenever it is required to treat the same by drawing air through it, as will presently appear.

My invention further consists in certain improvements whereby I am enabled to re- I00 duce the height of the tanks above the surface of the ground, the, reduction in height corresponding to the capacity of thatportion below the lower edge of the shell of the tank, as will more fully appear.

The invention also has relation to other minor objects, which will fully appear in the course of this specification.

The present improvement upon the storagetank relates to the bottom or foundation thereof, which from its form I term a 110pper-botto1n, as it in some respects resembles a seed or other hopper. The primary object I attain in this construction is to provide a bottom of a form and construction that will be suitable for storage tanks located in soft or unsubstantial ground-such, for instance, as the ground along the borders of rivers, harbors, and lakes of this country-thereby enabling me to utilize ground which otherwise would be unsuitable for the purpose.

A further. advantage to be derived from this form of construction is due to the fact that these bottoms may be constructed atless cost than ordinary foundations, and the amount'of grain contained in the hopper below ground, it is evident, would be that amount of storage gained over that of the ordin-a ry tanks placed on or above ground and having the ordinary bottoms.

The special form of botton1,while especially adapted to be used in connection with my apparatus for handling and storing grain, may, it is obvious, he used in other connections without departing from the spirit of my i11- vention.

The process or method of constructing the bottoms is as follows: Conical or other suitable or desirable shaped cavities of a convenient width and depth are first formed in the ground, the ground surrounding these depresslons not being disturbed. In case the earth surrounding these cavities is not firm near its surface, it is replaced with firm earth obtained from the bottom of these excavations until the required solidity is obtained. A thick covering or foundation of concrete, cement, asphalt, or other suitable material is then spread over the sides and bottom of the cavities,this covering being of such thickness and material as will render the bottom impervious to water and perfectly air-tight, and of a sufficient strength to sustain the weight of the tanks andt'heir contents. The bottom thus formed will have the form of a hopper or that of an inverted frustum of a cone, the sides inclining downwardly and inwardly and terminating in a fiat central portion upon which the lower end of the mouth-piece rests. A bar Z- shaped in cross-section is riveted to the lower edge of the shell of the steel storage-tanks and embedded firmly in the cement foundation, this bar not only serving to connect the tanks securely to the foundations,but also to support the tanks and prevent their dislocation. These bottoms may be constructed and employed singly or they maybe used in groups or clusters, as shown in the drawings. \Vhen in clusters, they are formed integral with each other, so that they may mutually brace and support one another.

I will 110w describe my improvement. in the apparatus for handling the grain. A circular stationary hooded mouth-piece 0, attached to the lower end of a pipe Z) and provided with supporting-feet, rests upon the central horizontal portion of the bottom, the feet serving to support it above the bottom,so as to leave a space to permit the grain to pass under the mouth-piece in removing it from the tank. As the grain from all portions of the tank will tend to the opening beneath the mouth-piece on account of the inclination of the sides of the bottom of the tank and the upper outwardly-inclined surface of the hood, it is evi dent that there willbe no necessity for shifting or moving the mouth-piece when all the grain in the tank is to be removed. By thisconstruction I not only obviate the use of the usual costly flexible drop-pipes, but I also save the labor required to shift and manipulate the drop-pipes of ordinary construction.

The improvement in treating the grain in store by drawing air into it for the purpose of drying it and taking up the excess of moisture consists in introducing a short vertical pipe (1 into the top of the ail-tight tank near to the main pipe I) and connecting its projecting end to the main pipe by a horizontal stationary frame or plate d, which is provided with parallel flanges along its side edges. \Vorking upon this flanged plate (1, between its flanges, is a slide (1, which is provided with an opening near its righthand end corresponding in area and registering with the passage to the main pipe I), the other end of this slide being left solid, so as to normally close the upper end of the pipe (I. The lower end I) of the continuation of the main pipe is movable and is attached firmly to the slide "over the opening therein,so that when the parts are in their normal position, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 10, and 12, pipe I)" is in alignment and communication with the main pipe I), while the upper end of the pipe (1 is closed by the solid portion of the slide. If the slide (1' be shifted or slid over to the left a sufficient distance to cause the pipe Z)" to register with the pipe (1,

communication will be established and the main pipe will be open to the air. If then the air is exhausted from the top of the tank through the medium of the pipes l) and (l and the usual exhaust apparatus, air will be drawn down the main pipe, out under the mouth-piece, and up through the mass of grain in the tank, thereby thoroughly ventilating it without. removing or disturbing it. The main pipe I) is incased in a pipe I), the annular space between the two pipes being approximately equal in area to the area of the pipe Z). This casing-pipe passes through the roof of thetank, and is secured to the main pipe above the roof by a flanged ring 6 2- IIO shaped in crosssection, and to the top of the mouthpiece heretofore mentionedbyan open annular flange 0. This pipe 0 extends to the bottom of the mouth-piece, and. is provided at its lower extremity with an internal flange or ring 11, approximately triangular in cross-section, as shown more particularly in Fig. 8. The lowereud of the main pipe I) terminates at such a point above the riugb as will leave an interval equal to the interval between the pipes. In the outer pipe I), at a point outside of the tank, is formed a series of vertical slots f, which extend entirely around the pipe. Snugly fitting the pipe I) at this point is a rotatable band or sleeve f, which provided with openings corresponding to those in the pipe and adapted at the wvill of the operator to be brought to register with the same, as shown most clearly in Fig. 17.

To rotate and adjust the bandsf, a forked lever g is attached to the same by means of two metallic hoops or bands g. This device is to admit the air to the main pipe at the bottom for the purpose of cutting off the supply of grain to the pipes. The space between the two pipes is also used for admitting air to the month-piece for the purpose of drawing it through the grain to dry or cool it, and also serves as an airchamber while elevating grain. When the receiver (shown at 72. in Fig. 1) is filled, or for any cause it becomes necessary to stop the elevator, so that the main pipe may contain no grain during the process of weighing, discharging, or during any interval that the apparatus may not be working, the area of the space between the pipes being equal to that of the main pipe, it is evident that when the band f is so adjusted as to allow the air free access into the outer pipe a sufficient quantity of air will be drawn down between the pipes to supply the inner pipe, and thereby prevent the further elevation or discharge of the grain while the slots 7" remain open. The internal contraction 1) serves to direct the current of air emerging from between the pipes up into the inner pipe and prevent the grain being carried up with it. It is evident that the space between the two pipes I) Z) may also be utih ized to conduct air to the bottom of the mass of grain during the process of aerating and ventilating it. The space between these pipes also serves as an air-chamber during the process of removing or elevating grain from the tank.

In Figs. 1-3, 14:, 15, and 16 the storage-tanks are shown adapted for location upon the side of a hill or embankment or a wall. In this form the bottoms are constructed in substantially the same manner as in the other forms, except that a different means for withdrawing or discharging the contents is provided. Instead of being provided with a central horizontal portion, the bottoms connect with lateral tunnels 7t, constructed of the same material as the bottoms and formed integrally therewith. These tunnels are used in the process of removing the contents from the tank. Either the entire contents may be re moved at one operation or portions only at any desired intervals. "The form of construc tion is such that the contents of the tank will automatically run down in the tunnel near to the door 7.: at its front ends, so as to be easily removed; but it will not approach near enough to interfere with the operation of the door. The bottoms of the tunnels are slightly inclined toward the door to facilitate the removal of the contents.

In Fig. 18 I show a flexible tubular section a inserted in the main pipe and connected to the adjacent. ends of the same by means of clamping-bands drawn tightby keys inserted in the ends. This flexible section may be employed at any point in the conducting-pipes where it may be necessary or advantageous; but it is particularly designed for use in the continuation l) of the main pipe in order to render the same movable.

In Figs. 19 and 20 I show a means for adjustably connecting the adjacent ends of two sectionsof pipe, one section (the lower one in this instance) being furnisl'ied with a flat plate having overhanging flanges along its side edges, and the other sections being provided with a plate adapted to fit and work between the said flanges.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim herein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Astructure for the storage of grain, comprising a bottom and a tank having its lower edge embedded in said bottom below theleve'l of the adjacent ground and provided with a lateral flange or Z-bar, for the purpose set forth. I

2. A structure for the-storage and elevation of grain, comprising an air-tight metallic tank, a bottom therefor, said bottom extendingbelow the level of the adjacent ground, having its sides inclining inwardly and downwardly, and means extending to or substantially to the bottom of the structure for removing the contents therefrom, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A structure for the elevation and storage of grain,com prising an air-tight metallic tank, a bottom therefor composed of a plasticcomposition and having its interior sides inclining inwardly and downwardly and terminatingin a horizontal central portion, and means adapted to rest 011 said central portion for removing the grain, substantially as described.

at. The combination, with an air-tight me tallic tank having an inclined bottom, of a grain-pipe, and an incasingair-pipe, said airpipe extending to near the bottom of the tank, the lower end of which is provided with a hood or mouth-piece secured to said air-pipe .and resting on the bottom of tank on supportingfeet, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination, with an air-tight metallic tank, of the main pipe, an inclosing pipe for the latter, said pipes extending into and ITO adjacent to the bottom of said tank, and an adjustable valve above the cover of said tank and carried by the inclosing pipe outside, substantially as described.

(3. The combination, with an air-tight metallic tank, of a main pipe extending there-. into, an inclosing pipe also extending thereinto and closed at its upper end, said inclosing pipe being provided with a series of openings at a point outside the tank, and a rotatable band surrounding the inclosing pipe and provided with corresponding openings, whereby air may be conducted to the lower end of the main pipe to cut off the supply of grain thereto or for the purpose of drying and cooling the grain, as the exigencies of the case may require, substantially as and for the p nr pose described.

7. The combination, with a storage structure, of a grain-pipe incased in an air-pipe, the air-pipe extending below the grain and having a contracted end below the grain-pipe, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination, with a storagestructure, of a main pipe extending thereinto, a supplemental pipe (1, also extending a short distance into the tank, and a movable pipe adapted to be shifted so as to register with either of the pipes, as and [or the purposes set forth.

9. The method of preserving and storing food products, which consists in inclosing the same within a receptacle, subjecting said receptacle to the refrigerating action of the earth, removing the excessive or surplus moisture from the food products, and then closing the receptacle air-tight, whereby the food products will be maintained in their natural dry condition excluded from the outer air and at a low temperature.

10. The method of preserving and storing food products, which consists in inclosing the same within a receptacle, subjecting said receptacle to the refrigerating action of the earth, removing the excessive surface moisture from the food products, closing the reccptacle air-tight, and excluding the lightfrom the food products, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LYMAN SMITH.

Witnesses:

EMMET L. MATTICE, AvoN DACHENHAUSEN. 

